Nicole Malliotakis

Nicole Malliotakis (born November 11, 1980) is an American politician who serves in the New York State assembly.

Nicole Malliotakis
Member of the
New York State Assembly
Assumed office
January 1, 2011
Preceded byJanele Hyer-Spencer
Constituency60th district (2011–12)
64th district (2013–)
Personal details
Born (1980-11-11) November 11, 1980
New York City, New York, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationSeton Hall University (BA)
Wagner College (MBA)
WebsiteOfficial website

A Republican, she represents part of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and East Shore, Staten Island in the New York State Assembly. She is the only Republican woman elected in New York City and the first Hispanic-American to win elected office in Staten Island.[1] She is one of the first two Greek-American women elected to office in New York State.[2][3]

She was the Republican nominee in New York City's 2017 mayoral election against incumbent Mayor Bill de Blasio. She is running for Congress in the 2020 election, in New York's 11th congressional district.[4] Malliotakis has been endorsed by the Republican and Conservative Parties.[5][6]

Early life and education

Born on November 11, 1980 in New York City,[7][8] Malliotakis grew up in Great Kills, Staten Island,[9] the daughter of immigrant parents; her father is from Greece and her mother is from Cuba. She was raised in the Greek Orthodox faith.

She attended New Dorp High School in Staten Island, and during her senior year she was elected class president by her peers.[10] Malliotakis received a B.A. in communications from Seton Hall University and a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) from Wagner College.[11]

Career

Malliotakis worked as a community liaison for both former state Sen. John Marchi (2003–2004) and former Gov. George Pataki (2004–2006). Prior to her election, Malliotakis also worked on state energy policy as the public affairs manager for the Consolidated Edison Company of New York.[11]

In November 2015, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida named Malliotakis as the New York State chair of his 2016 presidential campaign.[12]

New York State Assembly

In 2010, Malliotakis won the election to represent the 60th District in the New York State Assembly. She defeated two-term Democratic incumbent Janele Hyer-Spencer by a margin of 10 percentage points.[13]

Upon being elected to the Assembly, Malliotakis became the first Greek-American woman elected to office in New York State, the first Cuban-American woman elected to office in New York State,[14] and the first person of Hispanic descent elected from Staten Island. As of January 2018, she was one of only two Republicans from the City of New York currently serving in the State Assembly, along with Michael Reilly. Malliotakis is Brooklyn's only Republican lawmaker.[15]

In October 2011, she submitted an amicus curiae brief in support of an American Automobile Association lawsuit against the Port Authority in federal court, arguing that recent toll increases were illegal.[16] She successfully brought an Article 78 proceeding in New York State Supreme Court to get the Port Authority to disclose the results of an economic impact study regarding the effect the toll increases had had on business at New York Container Terminal.[17]

Malliotakis in 2012

Malliotakis was re-elected in 2012 with 61% of the vote and again in 2014 with 73% of the vote in both Brooklyn and Staten Island.

In 2013, Malliotakis was recognized as a rising star.[18] After Rep. Michael Grimm resigned at the end of 2014, she was mentioned as a top contender for his seat before deciding against a run.[19]

In 2015, Malliotakis voted against the passage of a bill in the New York State Assembly that would have required certain parents ensure the immunization of their children against meningococcal disease.[20]

Malliotakis has made elder rights a hallmark of her tenure and has successfully fought to keep a senior center in Staten Island from being closed.[21]

Malliotakis held a series of forums with regard to the MTA Payroll Mobility Tax and its alleged negative impact on small businesses, non-profit organizations, and private schools.[22] The New York state legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo subsequently enacted significant repeals.[23]

She has fought for relief from the September 2011 toll increase on Port Authority bridges,[24] calling for divestment of costly non-essential real estate holdings and highlighting mismanaged contributions to community organizations.[25]

During her first year in the Assembly, Malliotakis received numerous awards and recognition, including being named a 'rising star' by Capitol News, Home Reporter News,[26] the Hispanic Coalition of New York,[27] and the Greek America Foundation.[28] She has also been named a 'top ranking pro jobs supporter' by The Business Council of New York State.[29]

Campaign logo

2017 New York City mayoral election

On April 25, 2017, she filed as a candidate for Mayor of New York City in the 2017 mayoral election under the Republican Party.[30][31] She went on to win the Republican nomination unopposed after businessman Paul Massey dropped out in June over money concerns. Although Malliotakis did not win the election, she garnered 70% of the vote in her home borough of Staten Island.[32] On November 7, 2017, Malliotakis lost the mayoral election to Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio.[33]

Political positions

Malliotakis voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election and opposes the sanctuary city status, for undocumented immigrants, of New York City.[34] She opposed giving drivers' licenses to undocumented immigrants.[35] She does not support repealing Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion but has voted against taxpayer funded abortions and against the late term abortion bill passed by New York state.[36] She does not identify as pro-life or pro-choice, saying "it's not black or white, I think there's a lot of things that go into a decision of that magnitude.”[36] After originally opposing same-sex marriage, Malliotakis said she regretted that decision and voted to support adoptions by same-sex parents and to protect estate rights for married same-sex couples.[37] She voted against a bill relating to bathroom rights for transgender people.[38]

She opposed raising fees on plastic bags in New York and supports reducing bridge tolls.[39] She proposed a plan to cut property taxes for seniors and to limit increases on property taxes.[40] When running for mayor, she argued that these reforms in property taxes would mean the wealthy would pay a fair share while the poorer residents would get tax relief.[41]

Personal life

Malliotakis is single and resides on Staten Island. She is a Greek Orthodox Christian.

References
  1. Robinson, Gail (November 3, 2010). "As Country Goes Red, New York Stays Blue". Gotham Gazette.
  2. Biography at the New York State Assembly website. Accessed January 19, 2011.
  3. "Legislative Preview: Meet the New Members," The Capitol, January 2011, p. 19. Found at NY Capitol News website. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
  4. Campanile, Carl (January 25, 2019). "Nicole Malliotakis is running for Congress". New York Post. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  5. https://www.silive.com/news/2020/01/malliotakis-now-has-gop-support-from-both-sides-of-congressional-district-as-race-against-max-rose-heats-up.html
  6. https://www.silive.com/news/2020/01/malliotakis-tapped-as-state-and-local-conservative-parties-nominee-in-congressional-race.html
  7. "Legislative Preview: Meet The New Members". The Capitol. Manhattan Media. January 6, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  8. Benanti, Carol Ann (November 11, 2010). "Staten Island veteran of Korean War is a faithful scribe". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com. Happy Veterans Day birthday to Assemblywoman-elect Nicole Malliotakis, who celebrates her 30th
  9. "Assembly hopeful Nicole Malliotakis stays close to roots in campaign's final hours". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com. November 2, 2010.
  10. William Neuman (October 18, 2017). "She's a Conservative Who Loves Cher. Could She Be New York's Next Mayor?". The New York Times.
  11. Randall, Judy L. (November 9, 2010). "Political trailblazer from Rosebank poised to light a fire under Albany". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com.
  12. Anna Sanders (November 10, 2015). "Malliotakis to chair Marco Rubio's New York campaign". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com.
  13. Padnani, Amy (November 3, 2010). "Nicole Malliotakis, an upstart from Rosebank, runs roughshod over Assembly incumbent". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com.
  14. Sisto, Christine (July 7, 2014). "The Latina Who Killed the DREAM Act". National Review. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  15. August 7, Editorial Staff • (August 7, 2019). "Brooklyn's last standing Republican Nicole Malliotakis talks to the Spectator". The Brooklyn Home Reporter. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  16. Randall, Judy L. (October 7, 2011). "Staten Island lawmakers divided on toll discount strategy". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com.
  17. Katz, Celeste (August 6, 2012). "Malliotakis To Port Authority: Information, Please". New York Daily News. NYDailyNews.com.
  18. Tom Wrobleski (March 14, 2013). "Staten Island's Malliotakis on the rise in American conservative movement". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com.
  19. John Parkinson and Shushannah Walshe (December 30, 2014). "Replacing Rep. Michael Grimm: Contenders Include Eric Garner DA". ABC News.
  20. "New York State Assembly | Bill Search and Legislative Information". assembly.state.ny.us. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  21. Randall, Judy L. (February 12, 2011). "Push to save friendship clubs". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com.
  22. Randall, Judy L. (October 25, 2011). "Hated MTA payroll tax takes its lumps at forum on Staten Island". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com.
  23. McDonough, Daniel (December 12, 2011). "Cheering the end of the MTA payroll tax". Legislative Gazette. LegislativeGazette.com.
  24. Staten Island Advance Editorial (January 7, 2012). "Ms. Malliotakis speaks out". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com.
  25. Randall, Judy L. (January 11, 2012). "Port Authority blunders cost Staten Islanders millions of $$". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com.
  26. Editorial (March 1, 2012). "Brooklyn Rising Stars to be honored on March 22". Home Reporter News. HomeReporterNews.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013.
  27. "Assemblywoman Malliotakis named 'rising star'". Staten Island Advance. SILive.com. February 8, 2012.
  28. "Class of 2012".
  29. "New York State Assembly Top Ranking Voters' Guide 2011-2012". Archived from the original on February 9, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  30. Shapiro, Rachel (April 18, 2017). "Malliotakis: I'll Run for Mayor if Catsimatidis Doesn't". Staten Island Live. Staten Island Live. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  31. Jorgensen, Jillian (April 25, 2017). "Staten Island pol Nicole Malliotakis files candidacy for mayor". NY Daily News. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  32. "Republican mayoral contender quits race, citing money concerns". Crain's New York Business. June 28, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  33. "Mayor deBlasio Wins Second Term as New York City Mayor". CBS News. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  34. admin (September 15, 2017). "The gloves come off: Can Nicole Malliotakis land any punches?". CSNY. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  35. Alex, John; August 7, er • (August 7, 2019). "Brooklyn's last standing Republican Nicole Malliotakis talks to the Spectator". The Brooklyn Home Reporter. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  36. Max, Ben. "Nicole Malliotakis on Trying to Become New York's First Female Mayor". Gotham Gazette. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  37. Max, Ben. "Nicole Malliotakis on Trying to Become New York's First Female Mayor". Gotham Gazette. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  38. Jorgensen, Jillian. "Nicole Malliotakis OK with gay marriage, but not transgender bathroom bill". nydailynews.com. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  39. admin (September 15, 2017). "The gloves come off: Can Nicole Malliotakis land any punches?". CSNY. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  40. Politics, Kings County (September 25, 2018). "Malliotakis Floats Property Tax Proposal". Kings County Politics. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  41. Gartl, Michael (October 26, 2017). "Malliotakis vows to reform property taxes if elected mayor". New York Post. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
New York State Assembly
Preceded by
Janele Hyer-Spencer		 Member of the New York Assembly
from the 60th district
2011–2012		 Succeeded by
Inez Barron
Preceded by
Sheldon Silver		 Member of the New York Assembly
from the 64th district
2013–present		 Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by
Joe Lhota		 Republican nominee for Mayor of New York City
2017		 Most recent
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